Coughlin's school year off to busy start

Even as the 2012-13 school year is just beginning, there are a number of events under way at James M. Coughlin High School. Whether it is sports or club activities, Coughlin is always teeming with activity.

As the students entered on Aug. 29, I'm sure the majority of - if not all - students were dreading this very first day. The freshmen must have been terrified to enter this behemoth complex for the first time. The upperclassmen may not have had the same navigational problems as the freshmen, but entering the building meant summer 2012 was officially over, and that meant no more sleeping in, no more swimming and no more days to just hang out. It meant the start of work, but it also meant being exposed to the many activities at Coughlin.

Football, soccer, cross country, girls' tennis, volleyball, field hockey and golf have begun. All of Coughlin's teams show promise this year with a nice mix of students from all grade levels. These teams are sure to put on a show this year, and students are encouraged to attend as many games, meets and matches as possible.

Besides sports, Coughlin's clubs are also sure to stir up some activity. The Coughlin Players, the extremely and diversely talented drama club, will have two wonderful shows this year. The fall play has already been announced. The play is "The Outsiders," which was a best-selling novel, then a major motion picture starring big names such as Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, and Emilio Estevez. Also, the Players will perform a musical in the spring, the name of which has yet to be announced. Whatever musical makes its way onto the stage will sure to be amazing and draw in a huge crowd. The drama club has a very talented array of returning seniors, juniors and sophomores, along with a number of new freshmen.

The Key Club is also sure to play a huge role in the community, as usual, with a number of activities aimed at the betterment of the area.

This year, Coughlin has been accepted into The Storytellers Program by the organization To Write Love on Her Arms. TWLOHA is aimed at the prevention and awareness of depression, self-harm, addiction and other problems facing society. Storytellers gives high schools across the country an opportunity to become involved in the cause. Students should keep their eyes open for posters spreading the word on future events in the Wilkes-Barre area that will generate donations for a good cause, while providing entertainment.

Adam Ercolani is a student at Coughlin High School. Student columns, through the Newspaper in Education program, appear Wednesdays during the school year.

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